The Charlotte Hornets opened the season battered and shorthanded, cycling through injuries and clawing for any win they could manage with a depleted rotation. The outlook was bleak, and LaMelo Ball trade chatter was growing louder by the week. Yet as the 2025–26 campaign reaches its midpoint, the narrative has shifted. Charlotte has won four of its last seven games, led by LaMelo, who's injected a sense of momentum that felt impossible just a month ago.
Ball is finally healthy, and his impact has been undeniable. He just guided the Hornets to a convincing win on the road against the Lakers, a reminder of how much he truly elevates this roster.